Each week I share at least one reading photo of the week. Since it is summer, I have no photos of little readers to share. So here are a few photos of my room, patiently waiting.When students arrive, this space transforms into a space for book love galore!
JoinJen from Teach Mentor Texts andKellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers and share all of the reading you have done over the week from picture books to young adult novels. Follow the links to read about all of the amazing books the #IMWAYR community has read. It’s the bestway to discover what to read next.
Books I loved
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut written by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Gordon C. James
Wow. Ah yes, I see why this book has all of those stickers affixed to the cover. This is a stunner. Incredible celebration of the magic that happens in the barber’s chair.
Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen by Deborah Hopkinson with illustrations by Qin Leng
Inspiring biography for young writers. Leng’s illustrations are delightful.
Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines written byJeanne Walker Harvey and illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
Beautifully illustrated title about Maya Lin, whose entry was chosen in a national (US) design contest for the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington. Some of these illustrations made me catch my breath.
On OurStreet: Our First Talk about Poverty by Dr.Jillian Roberts and Jaime Casap with illustrations by Jane Heinrichs
One of those books you wish didn’t have to exist. But it does. And this book navigates first discussions of poverty with honesty, compassion and respect. I see that there will be more books in this series: The World Around Us by Orca Publishing and I will seek out upcoming titles.
Lion Lessons by Jon Agee
Sometimes you need a little bit of a nudge to be brave.
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
Strangely, I had a bit of a difficult time getting into this book and then I was fully, completely hooked. A mystery. A testament to a racist and troubled history. Family ties. Beginning friendships. Modern day mystery is woven through history. Absolutely fantastic.
Up next? I am reading Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles
Each week I share at least one reading photo of the week. This week I have a few to celebrate.
This reader is checking out a student written book that is part of our collection. Writers and readers go hand in hand 🙂
I know Mock Caldecott is a special thing in our room when last year’s students pop in to find out who our winners were and then stay to read the books!
Here are my fairy tale fans all sitting at the same table reading the same series! Pretty cute!
Our #classroombookaday titles, as always, have been inspirational.
Art, words and discussions were incredible after these titles.
“Some people think books are just for getting smarter, they’re also for getting kinder,” said a wise 8 year old in my room today. What we read aloud matters #classroombookadaypic.twitter.com/BvGBHqGGng
Again – the impact of these books is evident in comments and writing.
One child was very moved by the book Red: A Crayon’s Story. She writes:
“I really like this theme because it really pours our feelings out. It’s like you have a big bucket on your head and the theme walks to your head and your feelings swish around and you start to be emotional and I love that. The book is telling you to express yourself and be your own person or colour. Cause that’s what makes us unique.”
“I really like this theme because it made us think about what we’re afraid of and about how we express ourselves,” said one brilliant Grade 3 child. #classroombookaday titles inspire pic.twitter.com/lRrbWRXDYO
I haven’t posted in a while – some good excuses include – heading to Bellingham (on a very snowy Friday) to attend the Western Washington’s Children Literature Conference.
Amazing authors and illustrators included Kevin Henkes, Sophie Blackall, Pam Muñoz Ryan and Benjamin Alire Sáenz. They are all wearing tiaras here – for a you kind of had to be there – kind of a reason.
We also attended nErD Camp Bellingham on Sunday and it was a pleasure to spend the day with so many educators, librarians and literary wonders. We always love hanging out with nErD camp Bellingham founder Adam Shaffer.
Classroom Highlights
There has been art with Maggie in the Art and Discovery studio.
Science with UBC students during UBC reading week. Students shared science and we shared favourite books of course!
Lots and lots of math thinking as we explore multiplication and division concepts.
JoinJen from Teach Mentor Texts andKellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers and share all of the reading you have done over the week from picture books to young adult novels. Follow the links to read about all of the amazing books the #IMWAYR community has read. It’s the bestway to discover what to read next.
Books I loved:
There’s a lot of them . . . some not yet released so mark your calendars!
Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel (available March 20th, 2018)
Beyond wonderful. This title features numerous animals connected by sometimes simple and sometimes surprising common features. The author’s note explains that many of these creatures are in trouble and need human awareness and action to remove them from the endangered and critically threatened lists. Ideal for young young readers as well as school age children. Highly recommended.
Watch this amazing trailer – you’re going to want this book!
Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World written by Susan Hood and illustrated by 13 extraordinary female illustrators
I fell in love with this book at the mere concept. It’s nonfiction perfection – inspired poetry, additional information and incredible illustrations by some of my favourite illustrators out there. Hood chose her subjects – often girls and young women – that might not yet be known or are not all know well in order to introduce readers to inspiring role models. Well known girls and young women like Ruby Bridges and Malala Yousafzai are also included.
Who Says Women Can’t Be Computer Programmers?: The Story of Ada Lovelace written by Tanya Lee Stone and illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
The same author illustrator team that brought us Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? is back! If you know this book, you are already sold!
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 written by Helaine Becker and illustrated by Dow Phumiruk (released in June 2018)
Another inspiring woman who young readers will want to know more about. Add this one to your biography collections. Katherine Johnson is the mathematician who ensured that the Apollo 13 returned safely to Earth. Such a story! Written in an engaging style ideal for Elementary readers.
Yo Soy Muslim: A Father’s Letter to His Daughter written by Mark Gonzales and illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini
A beautifully written letter from father to daughter, this book celebrates culture, identity and family roots. A celebration of diversity and self. Just gorgeous.
Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes written by Hena Khan and illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini (released April 2018)
A must have for library and classroom collections – perfect title to complement our studies of shapes found in the world. Another beautifully illustrated title by Amini. This book is absolutely stunning. A celebration of both shapes and traditions. So pleased to include it in my classroom library.
The Boy and the Blue Moon written by Sara O’Leary and illustrated by Ashley Crowley
Blue like you haven’t quite imagined. Text and illustrations are the perfect complement. One part magic, another part imagination, a big splash of whimsy all seeped and soaked in the bluest of blues.
George the Hero Hound by Jeffrey Ebbeler (coming March 20, 2018)
Sometimes a farm comes with a dog. George knows his way around the farm but is under appreciated until he does something heroic. Charming and amusing.
The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds
Celebrates the magical and beautiful way words can collide and come together.
Lulu and the Dog from the Sea by Hilary McKay
I love this entire series of Lulu books. Perfect for the Grade 2 to 4 classroom. Lulu’s patience and persistence is admirable and readers will be rooting for this dog from the sea!
Solo by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess (Young Adult)
This truly is a story of rock and roll, fathers and sons, addictions and recoveries, loves and loss. A beautifully executed novel in verse.
Knock Out by K.A. Holt
House Arrest – this book’s companion novel- is a book I haven’t stopped raving about. Both titles are written in powerful and personal verse. I couldn’t put either one down. This is the story of little Levi – just a baby in House Arrest – now growing up and ready to have his own story. But when you have always been the one to protect, how do you find your way and engage with the world in big and brave ways?
Up next:The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
There's a Book for That 